Device for assisting with hair styling

ABSTRACT

A device for assisting with the styling of hair, such as with a flat ironing process. The device includes a tubular body having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the tubular body including an axial hair passage that runs from the first end to the second end. The tubular body or other elements associated with the tubular body are elastic in nature so to constrict about and removably retain hair that is pulled through the tubular body in preparation for styling. At least the axial hair passage is comprised of, or covered or coated with, a material having a low coefficient of friction to facilitate deliberate removal of sections of hair from the tubular body during styling.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/461,927 filed on Jan. 25, 2011, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

A common complaint among women is that it is difficult to obtain salon styling results when one attempts to style their own hair at home. Certainly, the difference between the capabilities of a trained hair stylist and those of an untrained individual is sometimes at fault. However, many hairstyling techniques employed by salons are simple and it is frustrating when employing the same techniques at home does not produce the desired look, even when salon quality hair products and styling tools are used. A non-limiting example of such a technique is flat ironing.

For many women, flat ironing is the key to having smooth, straight hair. A flat iron is a device having two substantially flat plates that may be heated to a temperature sufficient to change the structure of hair when the hair is placed between the plates and the plates are compressed together. In the process of flat ironing, hair is placed between the heated plates of the iron, the plates are brought together, and the iron is pulled along the length of the hair typically proceeding in a direction going from near the scalp to the end of the hair. Though there is not much to the process, it is still difficult to flat iron one's own hair as efficiently and effectively as can be done in a salon. This is largely in part because effective flat ironing requires 1) ironing of substantially each strand of hair, section-by-section; 2) ironing of substantially each strand of hair from very close to the scalp to the end of the hair; and 3) ironing of all the sections of hair in an organized manner (usually moving from the neck area toward the top of the head). When one is flat ironing their own hair it is difficult to see whether all of the hair has been ironed and it can be difficult to manage and keep separate the sections of hair that have already been or are being ironed from those that have not yet been ironed. This makes it difficult to get all the hair ironed as well as to get close to the scalp with the flat iron.

While clips have been utilized to hold un-styled hair out of the way during flat ironing, clips cannot hold a large amount of hair at one time and must be opened and closed each time one needs to remove a section of hair from the clamp for styling. Further, clips can be uncomfortable to use and easily become tangled in curly hair. Similarly, commercially available devices for holding hair and for wearing hair in a fashionable way—such as hair ties—are ineffective tools for assisting with flat ironing because they are specifically designed to securely hold hair in a tied fashion until the hair tie is deliberately removed. Consequently, typical hair ties generally have an outer surface with a relatively high coefficient of friction, which does not facilitate the removal of sections of hair therefrom. Rather, removing a section of hair from such a hair tie can only be done with great difficulty and with the potential risk of damaging or pulling out at least some strands of hair. Further, the general use of common hair ties frequently results in pulled, broken, creased, ringed or otherwise imprinted hair—especially with certain hair types—due to the binding (constricting) force that such a hair tie exerts on the tied hair.

Thus, it can be understood that there is a need in the art for a device for selectively holding un-styled hair in place and out of the way during styling (e.g., flat ironing), while simultaneously permitting the easy removal of un-styled hair sections from the device so that they may be styled. Devices of the present invention provide this functionality.

SUMMARY

An exemplary embodiment of a device for assisting with the styling of hair may comprise a tubular body with a first end opposite a second end and an axial passage extending therethrough, such that hair to be styled (e.g., flat ironed) may be pulled through the passage in the tubular body from the first end so as to exit and protrude from the tubular body at the second end. In one exemplary embodiment, the device comprises a tubular body only. In another exemplary embodiment, the device comprises a tubular body in combination with one or more banding members that are positioned on and encircle the tubular body at one or more selected positions between the first end and second end to exert a circumferential force against the hair that has been pulled through the tubular body. The banding member(s) is preferably elastic in nature, such that the banding member(s) may be expanded under the application of force but will automatically contract when the force is removed. In yet other exemplary embodiments, one or more banding members may be encased by a tubular body. In any case, at least the exposed surface of the tubular body within the axial passage is comprised of or coated with a low coefficient of friction material so as to facilitate the deliberate removal of hair sections from the tubular body during styling.

A device of the present invention may comprise a multi-layered tubular body. In certain exemplary embodiments having a multi-layered tubular body, the multi-layered tubular body with a first end opposite a second end and an axial passage extending therethrough, such that hair to be styled (e.g., flat ironed) may be pulled through the passage in the tubular body from the first end so as to exit and protrude from the tubular body at the second end. The multi-layered tubular body may comprise an internal layer and an external layer.

In one such exemplary embodiment the internal layer comprises a plurality of separate, stacked doughnut-shaped members, each member having a central opening, wherein the central openings of the stacked doughnut shaped members are aligned to collectively form the axial passage. In such an embodiment, the external layer may comprise a stretchable fabric or similar material that encases and retains the doughnut-shaped members. The stretchable fabric preferably has a low coefficient of friction so as to facilitate the deliberate removal of hair sections from the tubular body during styling.

At least one of the doughnut shaped members may be elastic in nature such that its central opening may be expanded under application of force by a human hand, whereafter the opening contracts making it possible for hair to be held inside the device until the user selectively removes it (by sections) for styling by pulling out from the end closest the scalp using, for example, a finger, a styling pick or other pointed tool, etc. At least one of the doughnut-shaped members may be made from a cushioned tube.

Other exemplary embodiments may comprise a single-layer tubular body. For example, such a device may comprise a unitary molded or otherwise formed body with a first end opposite a second end and an axial passage extending therethrough, such that hair to be styled (e.g., flat ironed) may be pulled through the passage in the tubular body from the first end so as to exit and protrude from the tubular body at the second end. The tubular body is preferably elastic in nature such that the passage through the tubular body may be expanded under the application of force, but will return (contract) to, or substantially to, its original size upon removal of the expansion force.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In addition to the features mentioned above, other aspects of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following descriptions of the drawings and exemplary embodiments, wherein like reference numerals across the several views refer to identical or equivalent features, and wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a front view of a first exemplary embodiment of a device for assisting with hair styling;

FIG. 2 a shows a front view of a second exemplary embodiment of a device for assisting with hair styling; FIG. 2 b shows a front view of the device of FIG. 2 a where the length of the tubular body has been extended and where arrows show how the device may contract when an extension force is released;

FIG. 3 shows a front view of a third exemplary embodiment of a device for assisting with hair styling also showing a cross section of the exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a fourth exemplary embodiment of a device for assisting with hair styling having regions of different elasticity;

FIG. 5 shows a front view of a fifth exemplary embodiment of a device for assisting with hair styling comprising a plurality of hair sectioning cavities;

FIG. 6 shows a front view of a sixth exemplary embodiment of a device for assisting with hair styling comprising a wound foam tube;

FIG. 7 shows a front view of a seventh exemplary embodiment of a device for assisting with hair styling comprising a cushioned tubular body and a plurality of banding members;

FIG. 8 shows a front view of an eighth exemplary embodiment of a device for assisting with hair styling comprising a tubular body having a second end which defines an opening larger than the opening defined by the first end;

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a ninth exemplary embodiment of a device for assisting with hair styling which comprises a single hair sectioning cavity;

FIG. 10 shows a front view of a tenth exemplary embodiment of a device for assisting with hair styling comprising a tubular body formed from a plurality of foam tubes and a banding member encasing the foam tubes at the center portion of the tubular body;

FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of an eleventh exemplary embodiment of a device for assisting with hair styling comprising a tubular body having a plurality of doughnut-shaped sections and a fabric casing;

FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of a twelfth exemplary embodiment of a device for assisting with the styling of hair comprising a multi-layered tubular body made from a plurality of separate doughnut-shaped members;

FIG. 13 a shows a perspective view of a unitary molded or otherwise formed device for assisting with hair styling having multiple doughnut-shaped sections, wherein a centrally-located doughnut-shaped section may provide greater hair retention; FIG. 13 b shows the front view of the device of FIG. 13 a; FIG. 13 c depicts a slightly version of the device of FIG. 13 a having an exemplary fabric casing; FIG. 13 d shows a front view of the device of FIG. 13 c;

FIG. 14 a shows a front view of a fourteenth exemplary embodiment of a device for assisting with hair styling comprising a cushioned, single-layer tubular body; FIG. 14 b shows a top view of the device of FIG. 14 a; and

FIG. 15 a shows a front view of a fifteenth exemplary embodiment of a device for assisting hair styling comprising a cushioned, single-layer tubular body having a slightly different shape than the embodiment of FIG. 14 a; FIG. 15 b shows a top view of the device of FIG. 15 a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT(S)

Exemplary embodiments of a device for assisting with hair styling include a tubular body of some length, with a first end opposite a second end and an axial passage extending therethrough, such that hair to be styled (e.g., flat ironed) may be pulled through the passage in the tubular body from the first end so as to exit and protrude from the tubular body at the second end. In one exemplary embodiment, the device comprises a tubular body only—which may be of sewn, knitted or woven fabric construction or, alternatively, may be a one-piece molded or otherwise formed structure.

In other exemplary embodiments, a device for assisting with hair styling may comprise a tubular body in combination with one or more other elements. For example, a one-piece tubular body may be combined with one or more banding members that are positioned on and encircle the tubular body at one or more selected positions between the first end and second end to exert a circumferential force against the hair that has been pulled through the tubular body. In yet other exemplary embodiments, the tubular body may be comprised of separate elements (e.g., doughnut-shaped elements) that collectively form the tubular body.

A device of the present invention may also be a multi-layer device in the sense that a tubular body portion may be partially or wholly encased in a fabric outer covering. For example, when the tubular body is comprised of a material that does not exhibit a sufficiently low coefficient of friction, the tubular body may be covered with a fabric or other material that does. Further, a fabric outer covering may be employed to encase and retain the individual elements that make up a multi-piece tubular body.

In any case, it is preferred that at least the axial hair receiving passage of a device for assisting with hair styling be comprised of, or covered or coated with a low friction material. Such a construction provides that the surface of the device that primarily contacts the inserted hair when the device is being utilized has a low enough coefficient of friction that hair strands do not get caught on or damaged by the surface of the axial hair passage upon selective removal therefrom. Exemplary materials that may be utilized for this purpose may include nylon, spandex, satin, etc., however, one of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the use of other low coefficient of friction materials may also be possible. Other sections of the device may also be covered with such a material, or the entire device may be so covered.

In use, a device of the present invention is generally expanded (stretched) at least circumferentially by a user, and one end thereof is held near the user's scalp in preparation for receipt of some amount of the user's hair that has already been gathered into a ponytail or similar shape. The gathered hair is passed into the first end of the device and through the axial hair passage therein until it emerges and protrudes from the opposite end of the device. With the device preferably placed near the user's scalp, the expansion force on the device is released, which allows the device to contract against the hair passing therethrough, thereby releasably holding the hair in a gathered state with the protruding portion of the generally held out of the way during styling. When ready to begin styling, the user deliberately pulls a desired section of hair from the device through the first end thereof using a finger or a pick or other hair styling tool. The low coefficient of friction material of the axial passage facilitates deliberate removal of hair sections from the device for styling. Once the selected section of hair has been styled, the user removes a next section, and then continues in this manner until all of the desired styling is completed. The device may be repositioned on the head and the process repeated when it was not possible to insert all of the user's hair into the device the first time.

A device of the present invention may be of various dimensions. However, it has been found that when a device of the present invention has a length from the first end to the second end of at least two inches, the hair protruding from the second end of the device is held sufficiently away from the user's scalp so as to permit substantially unencumbered flat ironing of the entire length of a hair section that has been intentionally removed from the device.

Embodiments of a device for assisting with the styling of hair according to the invention are easy to use, inexpensive to manufacture, and control and manage hair during styling with a flat-iron or other styling hair tool (e.g., curling iron). Consequently, a device of the present invention eliminates the need to use a hair clip during styling, is easy to position for use, does not damage the hair during use, and assists the user in obtaining professional styling results without incurring the high costs of professional styling services or requiring an exorbitant amount of styling time.

A first exemplary embodiment of a device for assisting with the styling of hair 05 is shown in FIG. 1. As can be seen, the device 05 includes a tubular body 10 having a first end 25 and a second end 30 opposite the first end 25. An axial hair passage 15 extends through the tubular body from one end to the other. This particular tubular body 10 has a substantially hourglass shape such that an area at or near the axial midpoint of the tubular body is of a lesser diameter than either end 25, 30. This narrowed region of the tubular body 10 serves as the primary mechanism by which the hair pulled through the device 05 is retained. More particularly, contraction of this area of the tubular body 10 against the hair in the axial passage serves to retain the hair therein. The curved shape of the tubular body 10 helps to facilitate the movement of sections of hair through the axial passage 15 during removal from the device 05.

As shown, the first end 25 of this particular tubular body 10 is of a greater diameter than the second end 30. The larger diameter of the first end 25 may assist with comfortably placing the device 05 against a user's scalp and may also facilitate initial insertion of gathered hair into the device.

The tubular body may be made from a material that is elastic in at least the circumferential (radial) direction, but the tubular body may be axially elastic as well. For example, the tubular body may be made from one or more of an elastic fabric, such as a stretchable nylon or spandex, and may be constructed by, for example, the sewing together of various fabric patterns, or by appropriate knitting or weaving. It may also be possible to construct the tubular body from a molded or otherwise formed stretchable foam material. In any event, at least the exposed surface within the axial passage is made from or covered or coated with a low coefficient of friction material that facilitates the deliberate removal of hair from the device.

As shown in FIG. 1 the device 05 may also include at least one banding member 20 that encircles the first end 25 and/or the second end 30 of the tubular body 10. The banding member 20 may be provided for reinforcement of the area of the tubular body across which hair will be most frequently dragged, and/or may comprise an elastic element that reinforces or strengthens the contractive properties of the device in these areas. In some exemplary embodiments, the band 20 is integral with the tubular body 10. For example, when the tubular body 10 is made from a fabric such as nylon, the nylon may encase the band 20.

When the tubular body includes an encased band, such as is shown in FIG. 1, the band may be expandable such that it may receive and selectively maintain a plurality of hair strands while the fabric casing enables selected hair strands to be easily removed from the device because of the fabric's low coefficient of friction surface. In this and similar embodiments, the band may be made from a material with a higher surface friction than the fabric from which the tubular body has been made, as encasing the band with the fabric of the tubular body prevents the surface friction of the band from interfering with the hair's removal from the device.

Another exemplary embodiment of a device for assisting with hair styling is shown in FIGS. 2 a-2 b. As shown in FIGS. 2 a-2 b, a device for assisting with hair styling may comprise a device 35 including a tubular body 40 having a first end 45 and a second end 50 opposite the first end 45. An axial hair passage 55 extends through the tubular body from one end to the other. In this case, the tubular body 40 is both axially and circumferentially elastic, as indicated by the arrows. The expandability of the tubular body may be derived from the elasticity of the material(s) from which it is configured. In an alternative embodiment (see FIG. 7), the tubular body may not be elastic, as hair holding may be accomplished by the contractive force of one or more banding members 60, as described below. The tubular body of this embodiment may have any of the constructions discussed above with respect to the tubular body of FIG. 1, and may also be fabric covered. In any event, at least the exposed surface within the axial hair passage 55 is made from or covered or coated with a low coefficient of friction material that facilitates the deliberate removal of hair from the device.

As shown, the device 35 may further comprise at least one encircling banding member 60 that is positioned along the length of the tubular body. In this case, two banding members are shown, but other numbers of banding members are also possible. The banding members 60 are elastic in a direction perpendicular to the long axis of the tubular body so as to exert a constricting force against the hair that is pulled through the device 35. The banding member(s) may be circumferentially expanded by a user when inserting hair into the device. Once the hair has been inserted into the device, and the user discontinues the application of the expansion force, the banding member will contracts around the tubular body to removably hold the inserted hair within the device. Use of such banding members may allow for greater control over the exact amount and location of the constricting force used to hold the hair in the device.

When more than one banding member is used, the banding members may be designed to exert a like or a dissimilar constricting force. Additional banding members may also be added to increase the overall length of the device by maintaining the axially elastic tubular body in a more axially stretched condition. The tubular body and bands may come in a kit, with a number of bands of different elasticity and/or circumference provided to best suit a given user. In other embodiments, the banding members may be trapped on the tubular body in some manner, so as to be irremovable. The banding members may be of various construction, but preferably do not interfere with the styling process such as by sticking to the hair, etc.

Another exemplary device 65 for assisting with hair styling is shown in FIG. 3. This device is similar to the device 05 of FIG. 1, except that this device 65 includes an encircling central banding member 85 which has been positioned at approximately the mid-point 90 of the length of the tubular body 70. The tubular body of this embodiment may have any of the constructions discussed above with respect to the tubular body of FIG. 1, and may also be partially or wholly covered with a stretchable fabric. In any event, at least the exposed surface within the axial passage is made from or covered or coated with a low coefficient of friction material that facilitates the deliberate removal of hair from the device. The banding member 85 may assist the tubular body 70 with removably retaining hair pulled through the device by exerting an additional constricting force thereagainst. While the device 65 of this embodiment is shown to have a first end 75 and second end 80 of substantially the same diameter, the diameter of one of the ends may also be larger than the other.

Another exemplary embodiment of a device 95 to assist with hair styling is shown in FIG. 4 where the tubular body 100 is of molded construction, for example, a stretchable foam material. The tubular body is generally in the form of a pair of stacked doughnuts, the central openings of which are aligned to form an axial passage through the tubular body. The molded tubular body may or may not be covered with a stretchable fabric.

At least the exposed surface within the axial passage is made from or covered or coated with a low coefficient of friction material that facilitates the deliberate removal of hair from the device. The exterior surface of the tubular body may be made from or covered or coated with a material having a higher coefficient of friction than the exposed surface within the axial passage to promote grasping of the device by a user while still permitting easy removal of hair from the device when desired. For example, the tubular body may be molded from two different materials. The tubular body may also be covered partially or entirely with a stretchable fabric material.

The exemplary embodiment of FIG. 5, is similar to the embodiments of FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 in the sense that this embodiment also includes a tubular body 120 of substantially hourglass shape having a first end 125 and a second end 110 opposite the first end 125, as well as an axial hair passage 105 that extends through the tubular body 120 from one end to the other. This narrowed region of the tubular body 120 serves as the primary mechanism by which the hair pulled through the device 115 is retained. The curved shape of the tubular body 120 helps to facilitate the movement of sections of hair through the axial passage 105 during removal from the device 115.

This embodiment of a device for assisting with hair styling also includes a plurality of hair sectioning cavities 130 located along the first end of the tubular body. The sectioning cavities 130 may further facilitate removal of sections of hair from the device, and in a variety of directions, so that the removed sections may be styled. The tubular body of this embodiment of a device for assisting with hair styling may have any of the constructions previously described herein, and may or may not be partially or wholly covered with a stretchable fabric.

FIG. 6 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a device 135 for assisting with hair styling according to the present invention. This embodiment is in the form of a coiled tubular body 155 with an axial passage 150 extending therethrough and having an outer surface comprised of a low coefficient of friction material. The coiled nature of the tubular body may be achieved, for example, by forming the tubular body of a spring-type wire that is covered with a low coefficient of friction fabric material or embedded in a low coefficient of friction foam material. The spring-type wire construction allows the tubular body to be circumferentially expanded but to return to a more constrictive (tightly coiled) position upon removal of the circumferential expansion force. The spring-type wire construction also allows the tubular body to further constrict as hair is removed from the device.

The exemplary device for assisting with hair styling depicted in FIG. 7 very similar to the device of FIGS. 2 a-2 b, except that in this embodiment the tubular body 165 substantially lacks axial elasticity. Rather, and unlike the tubular body of FIGS. 2 a-2 b, the length of this tubular body is fixed.

The tubular body of this embodiment again includes a first end 145, a second end 170 opposite the first end 145, and an axial hair passage 175 extending through the tubular body from one end to the other. In this case, however, any elasticity of the tubular body occurs exclusively or almost exclusively in the circumferential direction. The elasticity of the tubular body, when present, may be derived from the elasticity of the material(s) from which it is configured. In an alternative embodiment, the tubular body may not be elastic, as hair holding may be accomplished by the contractive force of one or more banding members 180, as described below. The tubular body of this embodiment may have any of the constructions discussed above with respect to the tubular body of FIG. 2 a-2 b, and may also be fabric covered. In any event, at least the exposed surface within the axial hair passage 175 is made from or covered or coated with a low coefficient of friction material that facilitates the deliberate removal of hair from the device.

As shown, the device 160 may further comprise at least one encircling banding member 180 that is positioned along the length of the tubular body. In this case, four banding members are shown, but other numbers of banding members are also possible. The banding members 180 are elastic in a direction perpendicular to the long axis of the tubular body so as to exert a constricting force against the hair that is pulled through the device 160. The banding member(s) may be circumferentially expanded by a user when inserting hair into the device. Once the hair has been inserted into the device, and the user discontinues the application of the expansion force, the banding member(s) will contract around the tubular body to removably hold the inserted hair within the device. Use of such banding members may allow for greater control over the exact amount and location of the constricting force used to hold the hair in the device.

When more than one banding member is used, the banding members may be designed to exert a like or a dissimilar constricting force. Additional banding members may also be added to increase the overall constricting force. A tubular body and multiple banding members may come in a kit, with a number of banding members of different elasticity and/or circumference provided to best suit a given user. In other embodiments, the banding member(s) may be trapped on the tubular body in some manner, so as to be irremovable. The banding members may be of various construction, but preferably do not interfere with the styling process such as by sticking to the hair, etc.

The exemplary device for assisting with hair styling depicted in FIG. 8 is very similar to the device of FIG. 1, except that the smaller diameter and larger diameter ends are reversed. That is, the device 185 of FIG. 8 again includes a tubular body 190 having a first end 195, a second end 200 opposite the first end 195, and an axial hair passage 205 that extends through the tubular body from one end to the other. The tubular body 190 again has a substantially hourglass shape such that an area at or near the axial midpoint of the tubular body is of a lesser diameter than either end 195, 200. This narrowed region of the tubular body 190 serves as the primary mechanism by which the hair pulled through the device 185 is retained. The curved shape of the tubular body 190 again helps to facilitate the movement of sections of hair through the axial passage 205 during removal from the device 185.

As shown, however, the first end 195 of this particular tubular body 190 is of a lesser diameter than the second end 200—in contrast to the embodiment of FIG. 1. The smaller diameter of the first end 195 may assist with controlling hair as sections thereof are pulled from the device. For user's with longer and/or thicker hair, the larger diameter of the second end 200 may facilitate the pulling of hair fully through the device and may also help to hold a larger amount of hair out of the way during styling.

The tubular body 190 may be made from any material discussed above in regard to FIG. 1, may be constructed in a similar manner and may have similar properties as well. Like the device of FIG. 1, this device may also be provided with a banding member at its first and/or second ends, as previously described. The device 05 of FIG. 1 and the device 185 of FIG. 8 may also be the same device that is simply used in a reverse orientation based upon the preference of a given user.

As shown in FIG. 9, a first end 220 of a tubular body 215 of a device 210 for assisting with hair styling may define a single sectioning cavity. The single sectioning cavity 225 may be sized so that the user's fingers may reach at least partially into the cavity in order to grab a section of hair for removal from the device 210 so that the hair may be styled. When the device 210 defines a single hair sectioning cavity rather than a plurality of sectioning cavities, it may be possible to make the sectioning cavity larger in size which may make accessing hair sections through the cavity easier. While a single sectioning cavity is shown herein as part of a simple cylindrically-shaped tubular body, it should be realized that such a sectioning cavity may be provided on other embodiments of a device for assisting with hair styling as well.

FIG. 10 illustrates a further exemplary embodiment of a device 230 for assisting with hair styling that comprises a plurality of foam tubes 140 arranged lengthwise about a central axis so as to form a tubular body 235 having a first end 240, a second end 245 opposite the first end 240, and an axial hair passage 250 extending therethrough. Hair may be inserted into the opening at the first end and extend through the tubular body until it protrudes from the opening at the second end. When the first end of the tubular body is positioned next to the scalp of a user and her hair is inserted into the device as discussed, the hair may be selectively removed from the device a little at a time so that it may be styled.

In some exemplary embodiments, the foam tube is covered with a low coefficient of friction fabric or similar material. In other exemplary embodiments, the surfaces or parts of the surfaces of the foam tubes may be coated or otherwise treated so that the axial passage 250 has a low coefficient of friction to facilitate hair removal. The foam tubes may be joined at one or more spots, and a banding member 255 may be positioned around the tubular body formed from the plurality of foam tubes 140 so that the tubular body constricts around hair that has been inserted into the device and continues to constrict as sections of hair are selectively removed so that they may be styled.

FIG. 11 depicts another exemplary embodiment of a device 260 to assist with hair styling, comprising a molded tubular body 280 similar to that of FIG. 4 and including a first end 270, a second end 275 opposite the first end 270, and an axial hair passage 265 extending through the tubular body from one end to the other. This embodiment of the device is also molded from, for example, a stretchable foam material.

This tubular body also generally takes the form of stacked and interconnected doughnuts, the central openings of which are aligned to form an axial passage through the tubular body. In this embodiment, the tubular body includes three doughnuts or bulges. The doughnut shaped sections of the tubular body are preferably cushioned and at least partially elastic. In some exemplary embodiments, each of the doughnut-shaped sections has a central region and an outer region where the central region is the part of the member immediately surrounding the opening defined by the member and wherein the central region is more elastic than the outer region. The elastic region may help hold hair in the device while the less elastic outer region makes the device stronger and more able to hold inserted hair up off of the scalp and out of the way of hair that has been removed from the device for styling. The regions may have different elasticities because each region is fabricated from a different material. In other exemplary embodiments, the entire doughnut-shaped section has the same elasticity.

The topmost doughnut may be flared at its free second end to help with the flow of hair where it exits the device. The molded tubular body may or may not be covered with a stretchable fabric. In any event, at least the exposed surface within the axial passage 300 is made from or covered or coated with a low coefficient of friction material that facilitates the deliberate removal of hair from the device.

The exemplary device 285 of FIG. 12 is similar in appearance to the device of FIG. 11, but comprises several stacked, independent doughnut-shaped members, the central openings of which are aligned to form a tubular body 310 including a first end 290, a second end 295 opposite the first end 290, and an axial hair passage 300 extending through the tubular body from one end to the other. The doughnut-shaped members are at least partially encased with an outer layer of stretchable fabric.

In this embodiment, the tubular body includes three non-connected doughnut-shaped members, the uppermost of which is of greater diameter than the two lower doughnut-shaped members to help with the flow of hair where it exits the device. Using two smaller doughnut-shaped members stacked on top of each other as described may also permit a user of the device to get closer to the scalp with a hair styling tool than if only doughnut members of the larger size were used to form the inside layer of the tubular body.

The doughnut-shaped members of the tubular body are preferably cushioned and at least partially elastic. In some exemplary embodiments, each of the doughnut-shaped members has a central region and an outer region where the central region is the part of the member immediately surrounding the opening defined by the member and wherein the central region is more elastic than the outer region. The elastic region may help hold hair in the device while the less elastic outer region makes the device stronger and more able to hold inserted hair up off of the scalp and out of the way of hair that has been removed from the device for styling. The regions may have different elasticities because each region is fabricated from a different material. In other exemplary embodiments, the entire doughnut-shaped member has the same elasticity.

Doughnut-shaped members used to form the inside layer of the tubular body do not have to be made from the same material. In some exemplary embodiments it may be desirable to use a first doughnut shaped member made from a first material and a second doughnut shaped member made from a second material. The second material may be more elastic than the first material. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 12, for example, the doughnut-shaped member in the middle may be made from a material that is more elastic than the other doughnut-shaped members. In such an exemplary embodiment, the more elastic doughnut-shaped member may constrict around hair that has been inserted into the device and continue to constrict as hair strands are selectively removed for styling.

In this embodiment, the doughnut-shaped members are generally held together by a fabric casing. The fabric may partially or wholly encase the doughnut-shaped members. In any case, at least the exposed surface within the axial passage 300 is made from or covered or coated with a low coefficient of friction material that facilitates the deliberate removal of hair from the device.

FIGS. 13 a-13 b illustrate another embodiment of a device to assist with hair styling, comprising a one-piece molded tubular body 335 having a first end 320, a second end 325 opposite the first end 320, and an axial hair passage 330 extending through the tubular body from one end to the other. The tubular body is molded from, for example, a stretchable (elastic) foam material.

The tubular body has three generally doughnut-shaped sections, with two sections of substantially similar diameter located at opposite ends of the tubular body and separated by a central section of lesser diameter. The lower section of larger diameter may help to locate the device near or against the scalp, while the top section of larger diameter may help to support hair that extends from the second end of the device. The central section of lesser diameter acts as the constriction mechanism by which hair that has been passed through the device is retained therein. To this end, the central doughnut-shaped section o lesser diameter may be of greater elasticity than the other two doughnut-shaped sections. The overall shape of this embodiment of the device has also been found easy to grasp and manipulate by a user.

The material from which the entirety of this embodiment of the device is molded may have a low coefficient of friction. Alternatively, in order to improve the grip of the device, the exterior surface of the device may be constructed from a material having a higher coefficient of friction than the exposed material residing in the axial hair passage. In any case, at least the exposed surface within the axial passage 330 is made from or covered or coated with a low coefficient of friction material that facilitates the deliberate removal of hair from the device.

As shown in FIGS. 13 c-13 d, an alternative embodiment of the device of FIGS. 13 a-13 b may be encased in a stretchable fabric 340 having a low coefficient of friction. This embodiment of the device may otherwise have the same construction as described with respect to the embodiment of FIGS. 13 a-13 b.

FIGS. 14 a-14 b illustrate another embodiment of a device 345 to assist with hair styling, comprising a one-piece molded tubular body 350 having a first end 355, a second end 360 opposite the first end 355, and an axial hair passage 365 extending through the tubular body from one end to the other. The diameter of the first end and second end of the device may be substantially the same, or one end (the second end, in this case) may be of greater diameter than the other.

The tubular body is molded from, for example, a stretchable (elastic) foam material, or another material that can provide similar properties/characteristics. Such a material should allow the tubular body to stretch, at least in a circumferential direction, to facilitate expansion during hair insertion and to cause automatic constriction as sections of hair are removed from the device for styling. The material from which the entirety of this embodiment of the device is molded may have a low coefficient of friction. Alternatively, in order to improve the grip of the device, the exterior surface of the device may be constructed from a material having a higher coefficient of friction than the exposed material residing in the axial hair passage. In any case, at least the exposed surface within the axial hair passage 365 is made from or covered or coated with a low coefficient of friction material that facilitates the deliberate removal of hair from the device.

FIGS. 15 a-15 b illustrate yet another embodiment of a device 370 to assist with hair styling, again comprising a one-piece molded tubular body 375 having a first end 380, a second end 385 opposite the first end 380, and an axial hair passage 390 extending through the tubular body from one end to the other. This embodiment of the device is very similar to the device shown in FIGS. 14-14 b, but with a less-defined hourglass shape. The diameter of the first end and second end of the device may be substantially the same (as shown), or one end may be of greater diameter than the other.

The tubular body is molded from, for example, a stretchable (elastic) foam material, or another material that can provide similar properties/characteristics. Such a material should allow the tubular body to stretch, at least in a circumferential direction, to facilitate expansion during hair insertion and to cause automatic constriction as sections of hair are removed from the device for styling. The material from which the entirety of this embodiment of the device is molded may have a low coefficient of friction. Alternatively, in order to improve the grip of the device, the exterior surface of the device may be constructed from a material having a higher coefficient of friction than the exposed material residing in the axial hair passage. In any case, at least the exposed surface within the axial hair passage 390 is made from or covered or coated with a low coefficient of friction material that facilitates the deliberate removal of hair from the device.

While certain embodiments of the present invention are described in detail above, the scope of the invention is not to be considered limited by such disclosure, and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention as evidenced by the following claims: 

1. A device for assisting with hair styling, comprising: a stretchable tubular body having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the tubular body including an axial hair passage that runs from the first end to the second end; and at least one banding member positioned on and encircling the tubular body between the first end and second end, wherein the banding member is elastic and capable of being expanded under the application of force such that when the expanding force is removed the banding member contracts around the tubular body causing it to constrict; wherein at least the surface of the tubular body that is exposed within the axial hair passage has a low coefficient of friction.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the banding member is positioned at approximately the mid-point between the first end and second end of the tubular body.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the axial hair passage has a substantially circular cross section.
 4. The device of claim 3, wherein the axial hair passage has a different diameter at the first end and the second end.
 5. The device of claim 3, wherein the diameter of the axial hair passage is smallest at approximately the mid-point between the first end and second end of the tubular body.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the low-friction material is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of nylon, satin, silk, and spandex.
 7. The device of claim 1, further comprising at least one hair sectioning cavity at or near the first end of the tubular body, the at least one hair sectioning cavity adapted to facilitate the withdrawal of selected sections of hair that has been pulled through the opening in the tubular body.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the tubular body is axially stretchable as well as radially stretchable.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein the tubular body is substantially axially non-stretchable.
 10. The device of claim 1, wherein multiple banding members are positioned on and encircle the tubular body between the first end and second end.
 11. The device of claim 9, wherein at least one of the multiple banding members has a different elasticity or circumference from another of the banding members.
 12. The device of claim 9, wherein the tubular body and banding members are provided in a kit, the kit containing banding members of different elasticities and/or circumferences.
 13. A device for assisting with hair styling, comprising: a one-piece elastic molded tubular body having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the tubular body including an axial hair passage that runs from the first end to the second end; wherein, the elastic nature of the tubular body allows the hair passage to be enlarged upon application of an expansion force so as to facilitate the passage of hair therethrough, while also causing the hair passage to constrict against the hair pulled therethrough when the expansion force is removed; and wherein, at least the surface of the tubular body that is exposed within the axial hair passage has a low coefficient of friction to facilitate the deliberate removal of sections of hair from the tubular body during styling.
 14. The device of claim 13, wherein the tubular body has a circular cross-section that is smaller at the first end than the second end.
 15. The device of claim 13, wherein the tubular body has a circular cross-section that is larger at the first end than the second end.
 16. The device of claim 13, wherein the tubular body is substantially hourglass shaped, such that a portion of the tubular body located between the first end and second end is of a lesser diameter than either the first or second end.
 17. The device of claim 13, further comprising at least one hair sectioning cavity located at or near the first end of the tubular body, the at least one hair sectioning cavity adapted to facilitate the withdrawal of selected sections of hair that has been pulled through the hair passage in the tubular body.
 18. The device of claim 13, wherein the tubular body is encased in a stretchable fabric material having a low coefficient of friction.
 19. A device for assisting with hair styling, comprising: a multi-layered tubular body having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the tubular body including an axial hair passage that runs from the first end to the second end, the tubular body further comprising: an internal layer formed from a plurality of stacked doughnut-shaped members, the doughnut-shaped members aligned such that central openings therein collectively form the axial hair passage that extends from one end of the tubular body to the other end, at least one of the doughnut-shaped members being elastic; and an external layer of a stretchable low coefficient of friction fabric that encases the doughnut-shaped members.
 20. The device of claim 19, wherein the external layer of a stretchable low coefficient of friction fabric covers the axial hair passage. 